Ortiz stands by Red Sox manager Valentine

Manager should not be blamed

NEW YORK — Batting practice was long over and his teammates were in the clubhouse preparing to face the Yankees on Friday when David Ortiz took a seat in the dugout to speak to a handful of reporters about the issues swirling around the Red Sox.

Ortiz defended manager Bobby Valentine, saying he should not be fired. That some of his teammates may not support Valentine is incidental, according to Ortiz.